Govt hopeful of introducing Lok Pal Bill in RS

Government today expressed hope that it will be able to introduce the Lok Pal Bill in Rajya Sabha this afternoon.

"Hopefully, the Lok Pal and Lokayukta Bill, 2011 will be tabled in Rajya Sabha this afternoon," Parliamentary Affairs Minister P K Bansal told reporters here.

The Lok Pal Bill was passed by Lok Sabha yesterday.

He said, "One thing is certain, it cannot be taken up unless Rajya Sabha decides to sit late like we did in Lok Sabha. Then only perhaps it could be passed today. Otherwise it will be passed tomorrow, but it will be taken up for consideration today."

Earlier, Union Minister V Narayanasamy said the Lok Pal Bill is unlikely to be tabled in the Rajya Sabha today.

The Lok Pal Bill will have to get presidential assent in the wake of amendments made to it in the Lok Sabha yesterday and it can be tabled in the Rajya Sabha after that, he said.

After getting the President's clearance, even if the Bill is tabled today in Rajya Sabha, it will be very late, he said.

Bansal also alleged that BJP had conspired to not confer Constitutional status to Lok Pal.